This document evaluates and compares two websites on climate change - one run by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and one run by the activist group Greenpeace. The EPA site is found to be more authoritative and accurate as it is run by a government agency and focuses on factual research. Meanwhile, the Greenpeace site shows some bias as it aims to encourage environmental protection in line with the group's views. Overall, the EPA site is deemed more trustworthy for students due to its reliance on facts over advocacy.
3. Authority
The United States
Environmental
Protection Agency is
responsible for the
page content.
This is a
government agency
which gives the EPA
full qualifications to
be the author
Greenpeace is
responsible for the
page content.
They are an activist
group located in
Washington D.C.
The group authors
vary in their
background, the
common core is their
concern for the
environment
EPA Greenpeace
4. Accuracy
Information is based
on verifiable fact
based on
government
research and
regulations.
No one but
government
employees of the
EPA can contribute
Based on the group’s
understanding about
what is happening
with climate change.
Site is more about
what the group wants
to do to slow down
climate change and
help the environment
then about the
problem itself.
EPA Greenpeace
5. Currency
Page was last
updated on June 27,
2013.
Provides links to
recent news stories
about the climate.
All links are recent.
Does not provide an
last updated date on
website but according
to WHOIS, the site was
last updated May 9,
2013.
Provides links on how
to help the environment
movement with
Greenpeace, not as
much up to date
information about the
EPA Greenpeace
6. Objectivity
Site is very fair and
reasonable.
Provides facts,
research findings,
and current news
articles about the
content.
Site has some bias
about the topic.
Encourages people
to join the
movement and help
protect the
environment, in the
way the seems best
in the group’s eyes
EPA Greenpeace
7. Which one to use?
I trust the EPA resource for information for
my students. This site is more fact and
research based and is supported by the
government. It also is updated regularly
and provides unbiased information
8. Credit
Environmental Protection Agency. (2013, June
27). Climate Change. Retrieved July 21, 2013,
from http://www.epa.gov/climatechange/
Greenpeace. (n.d.). Retrieved July 21, 2013,
from http://www.greenpeace.org/usa/en